Of all the cities in the world, the two where Christmas is most deeply felt are New York and Rome. Undoubtedly, the light shows put on in New York, from November onwards, make it a city where Christmas is experienced in a very special way.
Christmas in Rome
Rome, thanks to its baroque architecture, conceived by Francesco Castelli known as Borromini, by Pietro da Cortona and above all by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, is in itself a Christmas theater. The whole historic center is a Christmas stage that culminates in Piazza Navona, where on January 6, the feast of the Epiphany (Befana), we reach the apex of Roman Christmas traditions. Since there was no Santa Claus in Rome, instead there was the old long-nosed good witch who rides on a broomstick, bringing coal to bad children and gifts to good children.
Everything in Rome talks about Christmas. The phantasmagoric churches, the clothes people were used to wearing, the papal court that created a series of ceremonies that astounded not only the populace, but also the nobility, especially visitors from other nations. In the past, foreign ambassadors wrote letters home recounting the incredible shows of jubilation and ceremonies that accompanied the Christmas season. However Rome was almost more important on Christmas Eve, December 24, than on Christmas day itself.
Christmas Eve
In the past, the celebrations were synonymous with “eating”. People ate above all fish. Poor fish for the poor and richer fish for the nobles, prelates and cardinals. Eels and capitons were considered noble fish, while the poor ate river fish, caught in the Tiber. Currently, the tradition meal on Christmas Eve remains, called “di magro”, even if it is not thin at all. The meat is missing, because abstinence must be respected until the 25th, where lamb dominates the table, a suckling lamb weighing less than five kg. The highlight of this special Christmas menu is the selection of fried vegetables.
In Rome, or rather in the surrounding area, incredible vegetables are grown, such as Roman broccoli, Roman zucchini and especially zucchini blossoms, then cabbage, artichokes and borage. Apple and ricotta are also part of the typical fried food. Spaghetti with tuna is a must. Various species of fish are also served. Finally we have the desserts, the most typical ones are pangiallo and panpepato, However since now we are under the influence of northern Italy, there is no shortage of pandoro (from Verona) and panettone (from Milan).
This year, Christmas, given the sad circumstances, will be celebrated quietly, but we hope that in the future you can come and experience it with us!
Emilio Ferracci
